RIM Acquires DataViz Assets

Top 20 Android Productivity Apps

Research in Motion has confirmed that it has purchased DataViz's assets, giving the BlackBerry provider more control over the mobile office products it offers. RIM already loads the firm's Documents To Go app on many of its BlackBerry models.

"RIM has acquired some of the assets of DataViz and hired the majority of its employees to focus on supporting the BlackBerry platform," RIM confirmed Wednesday in a short statement.

RIM didn't say anything about the status of the remaining DataViz employees, but DataViz has had a thriving non-BlackBerry business. For instance, Documents To Go was an instant hit when the app was unveiled for the iPhone and the iPod Touch in June 2009. Presumably DataViz's non-RIM employees will continue to offer the firm's Microsoft Office-compatible products for use on other devices.

Documents To Go applications operate on Blackberry; Apple's iPhone, iPod and iPad; Windows Mobile; and Android platforms. Documents To Go fills a gaping hole in the iPad, because it allows users to sync and edit office documents.

For RIM, the acquisition will enable the firm to beef up its office software for enterprise customers -- still the heart of RIM's business. And, RIM's coming BlackPad tablet will be able to hit the market with a strong set of office productivity applications. Documents To Go is compatible with various versions of Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, as well as with PDF and iWork files.

RIM did not disclose a purchase price for DataViz, but Crackberry.com, an independent Web site that closely tracks RIM, estimated the acquisition price was about $50 million.

For Further Reading

iPhone Getting DataViz's Documents To Go

Smarsh Launches Employee Text Message Archiving

RIM Buys Out QNX Software Systems